Tiara Young, Chantae Embry earn all-AAC honors

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Two Mustangs Earn Conference Honors

IRVING, Texas (The American/SMU) – Tiara Young was named to the All-American Athletic Conference Second Team, and Chantae Embry earned the conference's Ambassador Award, the league announced on Friday.

Young was named an All-AAC Second Team selection after an impressive season. The graduate student averages 17.2 points per game and has 498 points this season, ranking fifth in the American. The former AAC Sixth Player of the Year has attempted the 17th most free throws in the country (176) and scored 124 points behind the charity stripe (3rd AAC, 32nd NCAA). Young has scored double-digit points in 25 out of the Mustangs' 29 games, including eight 20 plus point performances, three of which she eclipsed 30 points.

Young was named the AAC Player of the Week for the second time this season after a historic performance in SMU's first conference road win at Memphis. Young finished with her first double-double, including career-highs in points (38) and rebounds (15), and became the only player in the NCAA to post 38 and 15 this season. She tied for the third highest-scoring performance in SMU history and attempted the most free throws ever by a Mustang (22). Young totaled 32 points three days later and added six rebounds at UAB.

Young was crowned the AAC Player of the Week on Nov. 20 and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the San Diego Classic. She earned a spot on the American Weekly Honor Roll on December 18 and March 4.

Embry earned the Ambassador Award (defined as the player who most exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court – ethical behavior, fair play, and integrity – along with community service off the court).The junior forward exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship, ethical behavior, fair play, and integrity. She has been a strong and steady presence with SMU's Black Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (BSAAC) and is involved in SMU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Embry goes out of her way to seek additional community engagement and career development opportunities and continuously encourages teammates to get involved and support other student-athletes. She's participated in reading days at Dunbar Elementary School and attended multiple other community service events, including Project Unity's Together We Ball and Together We Dine. Embry also participated in the CFP Extra Yard for Teachers event.

On the court, Embry is averaging 16.2 points and 6.3 rebounds over the last 12 games and 12.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game on the season. Embry has two double doubles this season, scored in double figures 10 out of the last 12 games, and has logged 18 plus points seven times. She was named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll in back-to-back weeks on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5.